Once the British forced Washington off Manhattan in 1776, the area of New York City and Long Island became a magnet for displaced loyalists. Prominent citizens such as the DeLanceys and Robinsons quickly raised substantial regiments. Many historians cite this as an example of New York's ambivalence, if not outright opposition, to the Revolution. It is important to note that these recruits were refugees who came from the modern tri-states area, the mid-atlantic, and even the south (e.g. the North Carolinians who joined the Royal Highland Emigrants). Whatever their origin, they made for a mighty presence in the New York area.

    Raised by Edmund Fanning in December of 1776 as "The Associated Refugees". Fanning already had a reputation from being in the middle of the Regulators dispute in North Carolina in 1771. He followed his patron Governor Tryon from Carolina to New York, where he eventually assumed a noncombatant role as Surveyor-General of New York in 1782.
    The regiment was made up of recruits drawn chiefly from Long Island, New York City, and the counties along the Hudson river. The regiment's initial duty in the New York City area was garrison duty at Huntington, Long Isnad, and Kingsbridge in the summer of 1777. They were with Sir Henry Clinton in the attack on Forts Clinton and Montgomery. In 1778, they moved to Rhode Island in anticipation of the French attack on Newport. Their first real combat action ocurred here at the battle of Quaker Hill. They served as seaborne raiders in 1779, launcing attacks on Bedford and New Haven,CT, and Falmouth,MA. After that it was back to garrison duty on the Hudson and at Lloyd's Neck, Long Island. was sent south to participate in campaigns in Virginia, Charleston, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; and the east Floridas. After the siege of Savannah in 1781, elements of the regiment were sent into garrison at New York and Charleston, where they remained until war's end. Renumbered in May 1779 as the 4th American Regiment. Additional information can be found at the Harriet Irving Library of the University of New Brunswick. Information drawn from the Company of Military Historians and Todd Braisted's notes on the AOL Loyalist forum.

    The Loyal American Regiment was raised by Colonel Beverley Robinson Sr. in the Spring of 1777, primarily from Loyalists in Westchester and lower Dutchess County, New York. The regiment garrisoned Morrisania and Kingsbridge, NY that year until they took part in the Hudson Highlands Expedition of October 1777 under Lt. Genl. Sir Henry Clinton. They received great credit in helping to storm Forts Clinton and Montgomery. While the corps stayed there over the next few weeks, they received scores of new recruits, which led to the promotion of Captains Beverley Robinson, Jr. and Thomas Barclay to lieutenant colonel and major respectively. The regiment continued garrison duty on the lines at Kingsbridge or on Long Island until the Spring of 1779 when they took part in yet another expedition up the Hudson, this time garrisoning the posts of Verplank and Stony Point. When the latter was stormed in July of 1779 the corps lost 60 men of all ranks prisoners. These posts were evacuated in October of 1779 and the corps (between 200-250 men) returned again to the lines of Kingsbridge. In April of 1780 50 men of the corps assisted in the surprise attack on the Pennsylvania Line in Paramus, New Jersey. The regiment once remained in garrison until December of 1780 when it was ordered to embark for Virginia under the command of newly appointed Brig. Genl. Benedict Arnold. The regiment suffered very severely throughout January of 1781 and thereafter until they returned to New York in early June of that year. Receiving little rest, they took part in an unsuccessful raid to Pleasant Valley, New Jersey under Brig. Genl. Cortlandt Skinner of the New Jersey Volunteers. Their last major action would take place in September of 1781 when they were once again requested by Benedict Arnold to be a part of his New London, CT expedition where they experienced some heavy fighting. The regiment returned to Long Island where they remained in garrison until embarking for Nova Scotia in September of 1783.

    The second draft made from the regiment came in December of 1779 when Captain Patrick Ferguson of the 70th Regiment of Foot recruited about 175 volunteers from amongst the Provincial Corps at New York to serve as riflemen and rangers on the up-coming expedition to take Charleston, South Carolina. Known as the American Volunteers, this corps landed in Georgia in the beginning of February, 1780 and made it's way to the Siege of Charleston, taking part in the destruction and dispersal of the Continental Cavalry at Monk's Corner, SC. After the city fell in May of 1780, this corps was supposed to return to their parent regiments in New York, but Ferguson successfully lobbied to have them remain with him in South Carolina. They served as a detached corps from the army and assisted in the training of Loyalist militia regiments. Their luck ran out with the defeat of Ferguson at King's Mountain on October 7, 1780. Captain Abraham DePeyster(recruited from the King's American Regiment) surrendered what was left of the command. The survivors either returned to their corps over time or sat out the war in prison.

    Also known as DeLancey's Brigade, this regiment was probably the largest organization raised in New York, composed of three battalions raised by Oliver DeLancey. DeLancey was a wealthy New York merchant who resided in the Morrisania section of the Bronx (the Bronx was part of Westchester County during the 18th century). Oliver's brother, James, was a chief justice for the colony of New York and at one time was lieutenant governor for the colony. I believe it was James DeLancey who presided over the Zenger trial which was a major case involving freedom of the press. James died before the war. His son, James "Jr." was sheriff of Westchester county prior to the war and knew it like "the back of his hand". James formed a separate unit know as the Westchester Refugees. His unit was not on the regular British army payroll and raised money by selling raided cattle to the British army! Hence their nickname "the Cowboys". James' unit was responsible for the raid on the Davenport house near Pines Bridge where the rebel commander, Christopher Greene, was killed. Historians and researchers sometimes get the two DeLancey units mixed up. DeLancey's Brigade gets blamed for the actions of DeLancey's Westchester Refugees.
    DeLancey's Brigade was comprised of three battalions of 500 men each. They were raised from New York City, Long Island, Westchester and Fairfield Counties. I've heard that some of the men in 3rd Bttn. were captured rebels at the Battle of Long Island and given a choice, serve for the British or rot in a prison hulk in New York harbor. Some choice! DeLancey's Brigade began service as a police force in NYC. Later they garrisoned forts at Kings Bridge, Morrisania, and on Long Island's north shore where they were protecting the Loyal Americans who had fled to British controlled territory. Two battalions were later sent with Cornwallis to fight in the Southern Campaign. They fought at Eutaw Springs and Fort Ninety-Six (where they successfully withstood one of the longest sieges of the war).
    After the war they settled in what is now New Brunswick, Canada along the banks of the St. John River. Gabriel Ludlow, one of the Battalion commanders, was the first mayor of the City of St. John. Oliver took his family to England where he died shortly after the war. His sons were given commissions in the British army. Oliver's grandson, William, was Wellington's quartermaster general at the Battle of Waterloo. Sadly, William died of wounds shortly after the battle having recently married a Belgian girl prior to the battle. Quartermasters at the time were responsible not only for supply but moving the army from one place to another. You might say that William DeLancey was largely responsible for Wellington winning the Battle of Waterloo because he had the troops exactly where and when they were needed.

    Formed in April 1778, and commanded by former 3rd New York Colonel Rudolphus Ritzema. James Rogers (Robert Rogers' brother)served as Major. Ritzema's plan was to recruit solely from Continental Army deserters; he raised four understrength companies that were eventually incorporated into the British Legion and DeLancey's 3rd Battalion.

    The King's Orange Rangers was raised in December, 1776 by William Bayard, colonel of the militia of Orange County, New York. While William Bayard served in no military capacity, his son John Bayard, a lieutenant in the 60th Regiment of Foot, was made lieutenant colonel commandant of the new corps. The corps was recruited throughout Orange County but many of their officers, particularly the junior officers, were young British & Scottish gentlemen who had served as volunteers during the 1776 campaign. The KOR spent part of 1777 at the post of Paulus Hook, present day Jersey City, New Jersey. It took part in the grand foraging expedition in Bergen County, NJ under Sir Henry Clinton in September of 1777. After this it was transferred to the post of Kingsbridge, the location of Fort Knyphausen.
    Shortly after their arrival there they sailed north with the British expedition to take Forts Clinton and Montgomery in early October of 1777. The KOR did not take part in the attack, as they were on the other side of the Hudson River. After this expedition the regiment returned to it's quarters. In January of 1778 a violent outbreak of small pox hit the unit and they were removed to Harlem, south of Kingsbridge.
    During the year 1778 a total breakdown of discipline took hold throughout the unit, both amongst the officers and the enlisted men. This can best be exemplified by Lieutenant Colonel Bayard actually killing one of his junior officers and an entire sergeants guard of the men deserting(this incident is referred to in the published DeLancey's Orderly Book). With the corps shrunk to perhaps 200 men and on the verge of mutiny, the corps was transferred to Halifax, Nova Scotia in October of 1778. There they slowly recruited somewhat back to strength, mainly from recent Irish immigrants in Newfoundland. The regiment took part in garrison duty in Halifax and smaller towns along the coast of Nova Scotia for the remainder of the war. They were disbanded on 10 October 1783.
 
 

The New York Volunteers were raised by Oliver DeLancey. They were mainly in communities loyal to the King on Long
Island, the largest being the New York Loyalist Corps. Units of the New York Volunteers participated in the invasion of
their home territory in July 1776.

Muster Roll of Capt. John Howard's Company of New York Volunteers Commanded by Lieut. Col. George Turnbull
Esq., Commandant at Paulus Hook, February 1778

 Rank Names
Captain John Howard
Lieutenant Thomas Franey
Ensign Jonathan Anderson
Sergeant Stephen Dusenbury
Sergeant John Mitchell
Sergeant John Franey
Sergeant William H--? (Howe?)
Corporal Frances McDonald
Corporal William Stagler
Corporal Daniel Crain
Corporal Robert Crannell
Drummer Charles (Hereford)?
Drummer Abraham Steinburgh
Private Thomas Griffin
Private Joseph Cherry
Private John (Verdon)?
Private Daniel Allen Dead Dec. 30, 1777
Private Thomas Hatfield
Private John Boss
Private Joseph Boss
Private Samuel Hawkins
Private Jacob Williams
Private William Briggs Detached with certificate
Private Benjamin Dusenbury
Private William Carpenter In Command
Private Samuel Jackson
Private Jacob Chatterlon
Private Elijah Jones
Private Elijah Jones[sic]
Private Isaac Every
Private David Long
Private Henry Cashow/Hishaw? Duty
Private Peter Comly Transferred in the Vacant Company
Private Henry Weeks Tailor in Harlem
Private Stephen Thorn Duty
Private James Davis
Private Stephen Jackson
Private James Sissille
Private Augustus Moon
Private Peter Diamond
Private Peter Walker Tailor at Harlem
Private Jacob Acker
Private Baltus Vealy
Private Stephen Mosure
Private Francis Wilson
Private John Jones
Private John Murphy
Private Benjamin Gifford
Private John Nelson
Private Richard Lawrence
Private James Symmons
Private Jacob Mott
Private Sylvester Handly
Private William Wyng
Private Nathan Browne
Private David Jaicocks
Private Obadiah Griffin Recruiting
Private James Story
Private Fryer Terbousch
Private William Steenburugh[sic]
Private John Gritman Duty
Private John Badgely
Private Calyb Symmons Prisoner with the rebels
Private Henry Townshend Duty
Private Thomas Beemus Duty
Private Uriah Hall Recruiting
Private Eliphlet Symson
Private Thomas Reynolds
Private Daniel Triver
Private George Triver
Private saac German
Private Bastion Triver
Private Jacob Triver
Private George Acker
Private Peter Steenburugh[sic]
Private John Barnhawk Taken in to Col. Hinly? by Regiment
Private Elithan Brewer
Private Edward Devall
Private David Carter
Private Thomas Strait Dead April 16, 1777
Private John (Aark)?
Private Zachariah Lowe
Private Paul Rikert
Private (Aalia)? Stackhouse
Private William Saunders
Private John Byngham
Private Andrew Longyear
Private Peter Houadorne
Private Baltus Scriver

SOURCE: National Library of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Film Number: C-4219.

Muster Roll of Capt. William Gray's Company in the New York Volunteers from 24 February to 24 April 1781

Rank Names Reason Absent
Captain William Gray
Lieutenant Cosby Hunt
Sergeant David (Tud)?
Sergeant William Fleagler In Command
Sergeant Stephen Thorn
Corporal William Golder
Corporal John Badgley
Corporal Richard Motts
Drummer John Steinbarrack
Private James Golder
Private Eliphitet Simpson
Private Isaac German In Command
Private Reuben Robins
Private Baltes Scriver
Private Elijah Jones Sr. In Command
Private David Jeacox
Private George Traver In Command
Private George Acker
Private John Nelson
Private Thomas Brown
Private Henry Weeks
Private James Story
Private George (Reed)? In Command
Private Elisha Jones
Private Abraham Steinburgh
Private Thomas Cox
Private Daniel Traver
Private Daniel Crane In Command
Private John Boss In Command
Private John Gritman
Private Frederick Watt
Private James Hayner
Private Richard Lawrence In Command
Private Francis Fowler
Private Jacob Traver In Command
Private Henry Kershaw
Private Bastian Traver In Command
Private homas Griffen In Command
Private Jacob Acker
Private Augustus Moon
Private Wilber Dewel Absent with Leave
Private Jacob (Luker)?
Private Peter Dimond In General Hospital
Private Peter Walker
Private Jacob Acker
Private Joseph Suthard In General Hospital
Private Balhes (Fater)?
Private Stephen Mosher
Private Francis Willson
Private John Jones
Private Howland Soule Dead Aug. 4, 1777
Private John Murphy
Private George Thomas In General Hospital
Private Benjamin Gifford
Private John Nelson
Private Richard Lawrence In General Hospital
Private James Simmons
Private Jacob Mott In General Hospital
Private Sylvester Handley
Private William Wing
Private Nathan Brow
Private Thomas Brown In General Hospital
Private David Jeacocks
Private ?- Osburn
Private William Haws Dead Aug. 3, 1777
Private Ames Mory In General Hospital
Private Fryor Terbush
Private William Steinburgh
Private John Badgley
Private Henry Townsend
Private Thomas Bemus
Private John Gritsman In General Hospital
Private Caleb Simmons Prisoner with Rebels
Private Thomas Every Deserted Aug. 26, 1777
Private John Hays Deserted Aug. 26, 1777

SOURCE: National Library of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Film Numbers: CC-4218 and C-4219.